Soldier killed in 2009 Battle of Kamdesh to receive Distinguished Service Cross
Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos’ posthumous Silver Star will be upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor, during a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.
COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY
By WYATT OLSON | STARS AND STRIPES
In the early hours of Oct. 3, 2009, more than 300 enemy fighters stormed an isolated U.S. outpost in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, overwhelming the mere 50 American troops stationed there.
For the next 12 hours, the soldiers stationed at Combat Outpost Keating fought one of the deadliest battles of the long war in Afghanistan.
Eight soldiers died and 27 were wounded in the Battle of Kamdesh, dubbed “a day of heroes” for the acts of valor displayed by those who repelled the attack.
The Army awarded 37 Army Commendation Medals with V device for valor, 18 Bronze Stars with V device and nine Silver Stars to soldiers who fought that day. Two soldiers received Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest award for heroism in combat.
Among the dead was 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Now, that medal is being upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the country’s second highest award for valor.
The fallen hero’s teenage son, MacAiden Gallegos, will accept the award during a ceremony Saturday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, the Army said in a statement.
Read the rest of the article at Stars and Stripes.
Hat tip to AnotherPat for the link.
Category: Army News
Go Army … solid upgrade.
This is Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos’ Citation for his Silver Star:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/71231
Information on him:
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-staff-sgt-justin-t-gallegos/4316298
It took 9 years, but he is finally receiving the Award he always deserved.
Salute. Rest In Peace, Warrior.
Agree. Fully deserved and overdue.
I feel like we’re letting these warriors down by taking a decade to rightfully honor them though.
One little problem, how in hell do you award MORE MEDALS THAN there were men involved in the battle?
A True Warrior Hero. One of 8 killed that day. *Hand Salute*
From an article in American legion Magazine May 2013. “The Battle for COP Keating” 60 troopers attacked by more than 300 Taliban. Produced a constellation of medals; 27 PH, 37 ArCom with V, 3 BS, 18 BS w V, 9 Silver Stars, MOH upgrade for SSG Clint Romesha, MOH recommended for SGT Ty Carter. (may have been awarded by now)
Not a fan of anything related to CNN, but may have to check out Jake Tapper’s book “The Outpost”. Y’all with cable may know more about him than I do.
To paraphrase and repeat. Where do we get such men?
I think Tapper did a good job with the book. That was before he went off the rails though.
Tanks Bill T. Will check it out. Had seen a piece of his show at someone’s place a little while back. Didn’t pay a lot of attention since it was CNN. Mainly heard Trump bad wah wah wah wah wah wah wah.